Lieutenant Colonel William R. Williams, Jr.

WILLIAMS,WILLIAM,R-2

Lieutenant Colonel William R. Williams, Jr.

Description

LTC William R. Williams, Jr. was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Infantry Officer Candidate School Class 268-43 on 12 July 1943. His first duty assignment was Heavy Weapons Platoon leader 342nd Infantry Regiment Camp Walters, Texas.

His subsequent assignments include: Platoon Leader, Company Commander, S-2, 325 GIR ETO and Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Executive Officer 82 Recon Company Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Platoon Leader, Company Commander, S-1 504th AIR Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Advisor Korean Army KMAG; S-3 3rd Bn 503rd AIR Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Advisor AAUMAAG Saudia Arabia; Advisor Texas NG Austin, Texas; Asst Field Advisor/S-2 USA Agg Cent Fort Riley, Kansas; Intel Staff Officer Intel Div HQ USAREUR; Operations Officer 4th USAERctgDist Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

His miliary education and training includes: Infantry Officer Candidate School, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, Area Intelligence Course, Airborne School Jump Course, Air Transportation Course.

LTC Williams's highest military awards include: Distinguished Service Cross (citation below), Silver Star, Bronze Star w/1 OLC, Purple Heart w/2 OLC Army Commendation Medal w/1 OLC National Defense Service Medal w/one Bronze Service Star, Presidential Unit Citation w/one Bronze OLC, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Service Medal with one Silver Service Star, Republic of Korea Distinguished Military Service Medal 4th Class, United Nations Service Medal, French Fourragere, Belgum Fourragere, Netherlands Orange Lanyard, Combat Infantryman Badge (2d Award), Senior Parachute Badge (w/2 Bronze Service Stars), Glider Badge.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS CITATION:  For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with the United States Military Advisory Group, Korea, deployed as Advisor to the 3d Battalion, 23d Regiment, Republic of Korea Army. Captain Williams distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Yongdok, Korea, on 31 July 1950. On that date, the attack of the 3d Battalion had been stopped by a numerically superior enemy force and the battalion was disorganized and started falling back. At this critical time, Captain Williams, acting promptly and decisively, moved forward under heavy enemy fire, effected the rapid reorganization of the unit, and reestablished the lines. Calling for artillery fire, Captain Williams found that no observer was available. He then took a radio to the exposed crest of Hill 151, where he directed artillery fire on the enemy positions. Soon after establishing his observation post, Captain Williams was discovered by the enemy, who placed incessant artillery fire on his position. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Williams remained at his position and continued to adjust fire in an artillery duel lasting for a period of one hour and fifteen minutes. During this time, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy sniper and artillery fire while moving about for better observation. Through his efforts, he succeeded in eliminating the enemy forward observation post and in silencing the enemy artillery fire. As the attack resumed, Captain Williams then discovered an enemy group holding up the advance of a forward company of the Battalion. Because of the mountainous terrain, artillery fire could be placed on this strongpoint only by shifting battery positions. Realizing that immediate action was necessary, Captain Williams secured a .50 caliber machine-gun, and with two ammunition bearers, returned to Hill 151. Although observed and under intense small-arms and mortar fire, Captain Williams continued for forty-five minutes to attack the enemy group by machine-gun fire until it was dispersed and the Republic of Korea company was able to secure its objective.

Additional Information

Rank
Lieutenant Colonel

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Mary Cilia

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